/tag command in Minecraft

The /tag command adds a short label to entities, removes it or lists the labels they carry. Tags are the simplest way to mark a boss, a player who joined a game or a summoned mob, then target exactly those entities with @e[tag=name] in other commands.

Syntax

/tag <targets> (add|list|remove)

Argument	Expects	What it does
targets	Entity selectorone or several	Entities to tag: @s, @p, @a, or @e with filters like @e[type=minecraft:zombie,distance=..10].
name	Textone word	One word with letters, digits and _ - . + only, e.g. boss or in_game. Upper and lower case differ.

All 3 forms

/tag <targets> add <name>
/tag <targets> list
/tag <targets> remove <name>

Examples

Give yourself a tag

/tag @s add builder

Adds the tag builder to you; @a[tag=builder] now selects you.

Java 26.3

Mark nearby zombies as bosses

/tag @e[type=minecraft:zombie,distance=..10] add boss

Every zombie within 10 blocks gets the tag boss.

Java 26.3

List your tags

/tag @s list

Shows how many tags you carry and their names.

Java 26.3

Remove a tag

/tag @s remove builder

Takes the tag builder off you again.

Java 26.3

Effect for tagged players only

/effect give @a[tag=builder] minecraft:haste 60 1

Only players with the builder tag get Haste II for 60 seconds.

Java 26.3

Build your command

Fill in the fields, then copy the command.

Command generator

Using tags in selectors

@e[tag=boss] selects entities with the tag, @e[tag=!boss] those without it, and @e[tag=] those with no tag at all. Several tag filters can be combined: @a[tag=in_game,tag=!dead] selects players in the game who are not marked as dead.

Tags stay on the entity and are saved with it. An entity can hold up to 1024 tags; beyond that, or if the tag is already there, you get "Target either already has the tag or has too many tags".

Entity tags and data pack tags

These tags have nothing to do with data pack tags like #minecraft:logs, which group types of blocks or items. /tag labels individual entities, and you find the list in their NBT under Tags.

Typical workflow

Tag a mob right after /summon, or directly with the NBT {Tags:["boss"]}.
Give effects only to tagged players with /effect.
Clean up with /kill and the selector @e[tag=boss].
For colors and friendly fire, /team is the better tool; for numbers, use /scoreboard.

✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 2 November 2026

/tag: FAQ

Is a tag the same as a team?

No. An entity can carry many tags but belongs to one team at most. Tags are invisible and have no rules, while teams add colors, prefixes and friendly fire settings.

How do I see which tags an entity has?

Run /tag with list, for example /tag @s list. The answer gives the number of tags and their names.

How do I use /tag?

Type it in the chat with cheats on: /tag <targets> (add|list|remove).

Who can use /tag?

Cheats on, or operator level 2.

Related commands

/rotateCheats/summonCheats/killCheats/dataCheats